While Little (foot) and Bruce (knee) were unlikely to make the starting XI, the loss of Evans will be a major blow to O'Neill's preparations.

The influential defender, who was left out of United's 3-2 win at Aston Villa with a groin problem, was one of Northern Ireland's top performers in the 1-1 draw with Portugal last month and will be a big miss at Windsor Park.

O'Neill has responded to the withdrawals by adding uncapped Liverpool teenager Ryan McLaughlin and Burnley's Danny Lafferty to his squad.